Kubo and the Two Strings

2016 • 101 minutes

About this movie

From the acclaimed animation studio LAIKA (Coraline) comes an epic original action adventure featuring the voice talents of Academy Award® winners Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey. Kubo mesmerizes the people of a local fishing village, with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weaponry, as well as discover his own magical powers. (Original Title - Kubo and the Two Strings) - 2016 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Ratings and reviews

As always, this LAIKA film is a marvel in stop-motion animation, and much of the voice acting was pretty good. It's a shame that a movie with so much potential and a main character who himself tells stories fell flat when it came to actually delivering a compelling, complete narrative. It had its moments, but so much more could have been fleshed out. Spoilers ahead: I would have liked to know more about the Moon King - how he got to be as he is, and how the sisters seem to be so weak despite being basically gods. And why does he want Kubo's eyes for himself, if the whole point of taking them was so Kubo could live in the heavens? The Moon King is *wearing* Kubo's left eye IN HIS HEAD in the end; wouldn't having both cause the king himself to be cast out? Where does Kubo's origami power come from, exactly? His mother kind of has it in her dreams but never otherwise uses it; she uses the shamisen (the guitar thing) to affect the sea but you never see her use it on paper. And how did tiny paper Hanzo come to life if real Hanzo wasn't dead? I found myself wishing that more time had been spent on storytelling, and less on giant skeleton fights and beetle-based comedy.

When I watched Kubo and The Two Strings on Netflix a couple years ago when it was released I was very excited to finally see it. Why because I wanted to see it in theaters like every movie I want to to see that is meant for the big screen. I loved the story telling and with the story you have to be able to pay attention and understand what Travis Knight is trying to persuade to all of us. The story to me made sense on the understanding on Kubo's background and what happens with his parents. The actors to me did a really good job with the characters. I enjoyed the fact that Matthew McConaughey was in the film as he is a really good actor and his voice is unique in certain ways. You should check out his latest installment Interstellar.

This is all just my opinion, but the animation was some of the best stop motion I've seen to date. The character and set designs were immediately unique, clever, and endearing. The emotions the animators were able to bring to life were very impressive. You really have to respect the patience and careful planning animation takes to do it this well. The voice acting was mostly good. The young kid that voices Kubo did a great job. Especially for someone his age. The stars, Theron and McConaughey, did their jobs but nothing really stood out about either of their performances. The direction was fine. I would have preferred a more dynamic approach (but I want everything to be an epic so maybe I'm just hard to please). The story was another take on the hero's journey. Nothing you haven't already seen. The kids in my family enjoyed it. Monkey was the particular favorite character because of her no nonsense attitude and her skills as a warrior. I'd give it a 6 out of 10 (mainly for the animation and style) or 3 out of 5, which ever you prefer.